Psalm 69:1-36
The Waters Have Come In
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
2I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.
3I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
5You know my folly, O God, and my guilt is not hidden from You.
6May those who hope in You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of Hosts; may those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel.
7For I have endured scorn for Your sake, and shame has covered my face.
8I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,
9because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
10I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.
11I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them.
12Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.
13But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.
14Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink; deliver me from my foes and out of the deep waters.
15Do not let the floods engulf me or the depths swallow me up; let not the Pit close its mouth over me.
16Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.
17Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!
18Draw near to my soul and redeem me; ransom me because of my foes.
19You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.
20Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
21They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
22May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.
23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
24Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.
25May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26For they persecute the one You struck and recount the pain of those You wounded.
27Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not share in Your righteousness.
28May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous.
29But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.
30I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.
31And this will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves.
32The humble will see and rejoice. You who seek God, let your hearts be revived!
33For the LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people.
34Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
35For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it.
36The descendants of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will settle in it.
Berean Standard Bible
David cries that the waters have come up to his neck and he is sinking in deep mud. He is exhausted from calling for help, his throat is parched, and his eyes fail while he waits for God. The psalm begins with physical danger and public shame, not with a lesson about maintaining composure.
David confesses foolishness and asks that those who hope in God not be put to shame because of him. Enemies insult him, and zeal for God's house has consumed him. He asks God to draw near, redeem him, and answer because of His loving devotion.
The prayer also calls for judgment on enemies who have given him gall and vinegar. These words are not a permission slip for private cruelty; they are the language of a sufferer asking the righteous God to act. The ending turns toward praise: God hears the poor, does not despise prisoners, and Zion and its cities will be rebuilt.
Questions
1 How does David describe his danger?
AnswerHe is sinking in deep mud, with waters up to his neck and no firm place for his feet.
2 What has exhausted him?
AnswerCalling for help has exhausted him, his throat is parched, and his eyes fail while waiting for God.
3 What does David confess?
AnswerHe confesses foolishness and asks that his failure not shame others who hope in God.
4 Whom does God hear?
AnswerGod hears the poor and does not despise prisoners, even when powerful enemies appear to control the story.
What This Means for Us
Suffering can include guilt, accusation, and the fear of disappointing other believers. Make room for confession without treating every accusation as true.
The psalm's harsh requests should be carried to God rather than enacted by us. God hears the poor; our response should be to listen, protect, and help them reach solid ground.
Prayer
LORD, draw near to people sinking beneath shame, exhaustion, and danger. Hear the poor and imprisoned, redeem what is broken, and keep our desire for justice from becoming another source of harm. Amen.